By TJ Troup
The Houston Texans & Los Angeles Chargers rank 1-2 in the key defensive passer rating category. Does this mean that the game will be low scoring and the passers will struggle?
My friend Mr. Eric Goska is one helluva talented writer/historian (bet you knew that) and his column on the Bears vs. Packers discussed how long Green Bay had a lead in a game against the Bears before they surrendered the lead. Are you ready to go back to October 4th, 1953?
Here we go.
After Ed Sprinkle recovers a Packer fumble, the Bears run the ball six straight plays, and on 4th and 6 on the Packer thirty-four Blanda drills home a 40-yard field goal at 10:25. Green Bay drives 70 yards to score on nine plays when Rote delivers a strike to Bob Mann. Gib Dawson weaves and dashes 60 yards with a Fred Morrison punt halfway through the 2nd quarter thus the Packers lead at the half.
The Bears with Romanik at quarterback now (O'Connell started) drive 39 yards but Blanda misses a 50-yard field goal attempt. Romanik is replaced by O'Connell, who throws an interception that Romanik returns to throw an interception early in the 4th quarter.
Midway through the 4th, Blanda is now in at the triggerman position but he is also intercepted. Green Bay has 3rd down and twelve to go as Rote pitches to Breezy Reid on a circle route with Don Kindt in coverage -- the ball is tipped and George Figner latches on to the ball for the only interception in his short career.
Blanda leads the Bears 51 yards to score as he lofts to Dooley for 16 yards in the left corner of the end zone at 3:35 of the 4th quarter. Thus, Eric's saga of the Packers having a lead for over 40 minutes before victory escapes their grasp. Having the accurate stats and the play-by-play of every game sure would serve the league well.
Why the NFL has not reached out to historians who have this vital information mystifies me. This coming Sunday, the 28th, is one of those historical days all Baltimore Colts fans relish. Was the Championship game the greatest game ever played as Klein wrote about in his book?
We all have opinions, yet no doubt the game captured the imagination of so many with not only compelling drama, but with iconic characters and Johnny Hightops long drives against the NYG defense. When Buzz Nutter enters the locker room he hands the ball to the team captain Gino Marchetti and proclaims, "We're World Champions!"
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| Gino Marchetti Credit: Merv Corning |
See ya next week!
what game was it on Dec. 28 to which you're referring?....kidding.....most/all of the players in the 58 title game concede it wasn't the greatest game ever played, but it sure is arguably the MOST IMPORTANT game in NFL history....rivalled "maybe" by the Bears/Giants 1925, Bears/Redskins 1940, Browns/Eagles 1950, and of course NFL-AFL title game Jan. 12, 1969.....<not that anybody cares, but I HATE the term "Superbowl"....so presumptuous and stupid....it's the NFL championship game, just like 1936 or 46 or 56
ReplyDeleteDid anyone ever mention George Blanda as Hall of Famer, let alone a first ballot Hall of Famer, before his famous 5-game run in 1970?
ReplyDeleteHere's a guy who retired after the 1958 season because George Halas refused to let him play QB, preferring to go with Ed Brown and Zeke Bratkowski in 1959. They combined for a 69.3 passer rating.
I can't think of anyone in any sport with a career like this.
Wilbur made a great point about Blanda. He was the AFL MVP in '61. Shows you how weak that league was in its first few years. But by the end of its 10 year run it had the best team in football. Amazing really.
ReplyDeleteBW ...
ReplyDeleteBlanda definitely had a unique career. Back then, a number of QBs also kicked, but his longevity at both positions helped him get elected. Ed Brown should have had a better career himself--the arm talent was there--but just couldnt stay consistent. The Bears were built for hard-nosed football, not passing proficiency.
Tough week in Detroit. After trying to be cute against the Steelers, rather than just running the ball in at the one-yard line, they lose on their second called OPI play, then have a miserable offensive game against the Vikings with six turnovers. They had only 8 turnovers going into the game! The playoffs are a memory and Dan Campbell has to hope his team can finish with a winning record.
GB makes the playoffs but Steelers fans have to hope they play all-out against the Ravens. This has been a strange year for Lamar Jackson, who may not play. Is their harmony with him and the team? The Steelers might back into the divisional title but could the Browns upset them, if the Ravens beat the Packers?
If the 49ers can beat Chicago, they have their chance to win the west against Seattle but that division will go to the wire. Can Darnold hold them off? Do the Rams still have a chance? Could Shanahan be COTY?
NE should clinch the division with wins against the Jets and Dolphins but have to hope Denver loses to SD ... If the Texans beat the Chargers, Denver wins the west and could also get the 1st round bye.